Chapter 377: Can’t Deal with the World-Honored One but Can Deal with You?
Chapter 377: Can't Handle the World-Honored One, But Can Handle You?
Sword Pavilion, Ye Family Manor.
Amidst swirling clouds and radiant halls, the Ye Family now stood as the foremost clan within Sword Pavilion—not just due to their True Lord, but more so because of True Person Dangmo.
After all, while True Lords remained reclusive, those at the peak of Foundation Establishment were considered the strongest.
And among those perfected Foundation Establishment cultivators, True Person Dangmo stood leagues ahead. Riding on his prestige, the Ye Family had spent the past decade amassing considerable benefits within Sword Pavilion.
At that moment, a flying spirit missive arrived.
In the great hall, a handsome youth adorned with an ornate crown reached out and caught the letter. With a sweep of his divine sense, a smile bloomed on his face:
"Family Head, the Myriad Poison Sect has been eradicated!"
The words instantly drew the attention of Ye Shaoying, the Ye Family head seated at the hall's forefront, who had been meditating. His eyes snapped open, gleaming with satisfaction:
"Cheng'er, is this true?"
"Absolutely certain!"
Ye Cheng declared firmly: "This matter was personally arranged by your nephew. The letter comes from a trusted friend in the Southern Frontier—there's not a shred of falsehood!"
"Excellent!"
Ye Shaoying nodded in delight. "True Person Dangmo made a trip to the Southern Frontier, and now the Myriad Poison Sect is destroyed. Lü Yang must have perished!"
Ye Cheng smiled faintly. "The Family Head's wisdom is unparalleled. By leveraging the spies planted among the Qi Refining disciples, you wove an inescapable net. Lü Yang, a mere rogue cultivator, had no chance to evade it. He owed our Ye Family karma, and his demise was simply the working of destiny."
"Cheng'er speaks wisely."
Ye Shaoying nodded again. His daughter, Ye Guyue, had died inexplicably within the [Southern Heavenly Gate], leaving him resentful for years.
Thus, he had long held grievances against Lü Yang.
The reasoning was simple: My daughter died—why do you still live? Did you kill her?
Moreover, his original plan had been for Ye Guyue to inherit True Person Dangmo's legacy and master his [sword intent]. That hope had been dashed.
And then Lü Yang had been taken in as True Person Dangmo's disciple.
What if the two took a liking to each other, and True Person Dangmo passed his [sword intent] to Lü Yang? What would become of the Ye Family? This was intolerable to Ye Shaoying.
In his eyes, True Person Dangmo belonged to the Ye Family.
Thus, his [sword intent] rightfully belonged to the Ye Family as well!
How could an outsider lay claim to it?
Whether for personal or familial reasons, he did not wish Lü Yang to continue living—or at the very least, to remain forever stuck below Foundation Establishment.
"Let's go."
With that thought, Ye Shaoying rose and smiled at Ye Cheng. "Come with me, Cheng'er. We shall visit True Person Dangmo and offer him some comfort."
Then, patting Ye Cheng's shoulder meaningfully, he added, "You are now the most outstanding young talent of our Ye Family. I will recommend you to become True Person Dangmo's disciple. Cultivate diligently... With Guyue gone, the position of Family Head remains undecided. Strive to prove yourself."
"Your nephew understands!"
Ye Cheng's face lit up with excitement. If he could secure the Family Head position, reaching late-stage Foundation Establishment would be all but guaranteed!
Soon, two streaks of light departed the Ye Family estate.
They arrived at Ji Tian Cliff.
As they approached, Ye Shaoying composed himself and spoke solemnly, "Guangji, I know the pain of losing a beloved disciple is unbearable, but you must—"
His voice cut off abruptly.
Before he could utter the words "accept fate and move on," Ye Shaoying's gaze landed on Lü Yang, who stood calmly beside True Person Dangmo, now looking back at him.
Alive!?
Ye Shaoying whipped his head toward Ye Cheng, only to find him equally dumbfounded, clearly just as shocked by Lü Yang's survival.
'Did True Person Dangmo discover the plot in time and intervene?'
'Otherwise, how could Long Yue, the Myriad Poison Sect's Cult Master—a Grand True Person at late-stage Foundation Establishment—fail to kill a mere junior who had just reached Foundation Establishment...?'
Ye Shaoying was still lost in thought when—
Clang! Clang!
A sudden, crystalline sword chime echoed in his ears. Before him, Lü Yang's human form dissolved into a blinding, majestic sword radiance—so overwhelming it rivaled that of a Grand True Person!
"My apologies."
Lü Yang smiled sheepishly. "My current state is... peculiar. My sword qi is difficult to restrain. I hope the two of you won't take offense."
Despite his words, Lü Yang's sword qi flared even more aggressively.
Damn it, if I can't handle the World-Honored One, I can at least handle you!
Among those present, Ye Cheng was the weakest, having only recently entered mid-stage Foundation Establishment. Under the pressure of Lü Yang's sword qi, he coughed up blood and staggered back a step.
'Impossible...!'
This time, Ye Shaoying's composure shattered entirely. His face twisted in disbelief as he stared at Lü Yang.
'Late-stage Foundation Establishment!? A Grand True Person!?'
This was absurd!
'How profound are his roots? What is his background? To reach late-stage Foundation Establishment in barely ten years since his reincarnation?'
Had this been anyone else, Ye Shaoying would have immediately accused Lü Yang of being a spy planted by another sect. But Lü Yang's circumstances were unique—his past-life memories had been thoroughly cleansed during the incense-offering at the Hall of Reception. Even if he had been a spy before, he couldn't be one now.
Still, Ye Shaoying was the Ye Family head.
"...No matter."
In the blink of an eye, he regained his composure. "I came here today precisely to bring this family disgrace and seek your forgiveness."
Ye Cheng: "???"
Before Ye Cheng could react, Ye Shaoying struck, sealing his divine sense and shoving him forward.
"It was this man who colluded with the Myriad Poison Sect, betraying Sword Pavilion's interests."
"The evidence is irrefutable. If you still have doubts, the Qi Refining disciples he communicated with—confirmed spies—can be subjected to soul searches for verification."
Ye Shaoying's words rang with righteous conviction.
Lü Yang was utterly impressed.
'Truly a once-in-an-era Sword Seed...'
Why had True Person Dangmo suddenly rushed to the Southern Frontier? Because he had uncovered Ye Cheng's schemes. Yet even he hadn't expected Ye Shaoying to sacrifice his pawn so decisively.
Ye Shaoying, however, saw nothing wrong with his actions.
Compared to before, his perspective had shifted entirely. The weight of a Grand True Person far surpassed that of an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Where he had once sought Lü Yang's death, he now contemplated: 'If we can arrange a marriage alliance and draw a Grand True Person into the Ye Family, it would be no small gain...'
With that in mind, he prepared to speak.
But then—
"Enough."
True Person Dangmo cut him off sternly. "Must you further humiliate yourself? Return. Take Ye Cheng with you."
"Let him enter seclusion—for a century."
"...Understood."
Ye Shaoying nodded without hesitation, recognizing that this matter required long-term planning. He promptly dragged Ye Cheng away, departing Ji Tian Cliff in haste.
True Person Dangmo sighed wearily before turning to Lü Yang:
"For my sake, do not trouble them further."
Lü Yang bowed hastily. "This disciple wouldn't dare."
Satisfied, True Person Dangmo nodded—then unexpectedly unclasped the [No Killing Sword] from his waist and handed it to Lü Yang:
"Consider this my apology on their behalf."
"You've now reached the stage of comprehending [sword intent]. Borrow this blade for study. Patient contemplation will aid your current cultivation."
"Many thanks, Master!"
Lü Yang bowed again, accepting the [No Killing Sword] without hesitation. His hands met its icy surface, its weight like a mountain pressing down.
Truthfully, even without True Person Dangmo's words, Lü Yang had no immediate plans to trouble the Ye Family—though he would certainly remember this.
Because he had far more pressing matters at hand.
'Daoist Hong Yun's memories!'
Previously, the heavens had subtly interfered, preventing him from investigating thoroughly. That alone hinted at secrets tied to the cosmos. Now, he would uncover them—no matter what they were!